Stop The Awkward Networking Calls
Had 3 this week. It genuinely couldn't be more painful if they tried. No idea of how to flow a conversation and just chop shit up with me for 20-25 minutes. The questions are appalling:
- how do I break into a BB/how do I network/how am I coming off/who is in charge at HR
If you have poor questions that are literally only about your timeline, ok. That just means you don't know how to play the game and you have 0 interest in me actually liking you. But when I answer them don't also just go "yeah exactly that's what I thought that's good to hear". The difference between candidates who spend 20-30 minutes writing out their questions and have a plan of how to direct their thoughts stand out worlds apart from someone who believes they'll get through by just ripping calls and saying "I like banking because I manage my student fund". Up your game and you'll see the results.
Jesus no one cares about your opinion. Help people out if you want but no one needs to know your thoughts on those interactions. You're a self absorbed asshole thinking people give a fuck
I'm highlighting to interns on how to be more effective. that's actual advice. I always see you shit all over feedback posts to networking calls. mr needs a verified account should reflect on who is a self absorbed asswipe. pls fix insecure twink
The pot calling the kettle black rn lmaooo
I mean, to be fair, im more willing to refer people who seem interested in the work vs the first question being ‘what’s the timeline’ and then blank silence
Though in that situation i’d be more likely to try to explain to them a more effective way to approach networking calls…
seriously appreciate this type of approach from bankers. back when I recruited the most helpful ones in the beginning were the ones who were transparent and told me that I shouldn't be networking like this, or at least try to lead me to have a better conversation with them. not everyone is born with the ability to have the most natural conversation with a stranger in a "professional" setting, and these feedbacks were def most helpful for me to improve down the road
I can see how this is an advice for candidates but it was worded pretty condescendingly
no one is better than others and we've all been in his shoes at some time or another
Haha, honestly, we were all probably that guy at one point or another. I've tended to not take networking calls unless there's a personal connection.
Hey King - that's what I'm going to have to start doing. Had a few genuinely good kids over the past couple of months but not nearly enough to sit through the painful ones. I know there were times I wasn't pretty on the networking but nothing like "hey so who can I talk to in HR?". Just the industry slipping I guess.
I hate the ones where they interview me. It’s like dude I am trying to help YOU get an interview, be prepared for an interview…let’s not spend the entire time asking me random questions about myself.
Facts Facts Facts
Questions about your experience at the firm are totally fair (expected, actually)
To an extent yeah…I’m willing to help people frame their “why IB?” “Why xyz firm?” and some people just eat up all of the time with questions about me. I get what you’re saying but it has to be balanced.
Eh if their ‘interview me’ is asking about what I do, deals I’ve worked on, etc like, that’s what they’re meant to do right? I don’t take a networking call then ask them a ton of questions lol
Yeah those are fair obviously but I always look to help them succeed in interviews and I feel like sometimes they don’t come equipped with the kind of questions that will help them do that. My deal experience is all well and good but I mean there’s more valuable insight I can offer, especially the “why this bank?” question that they’re not going to get from someone who doesn’t work there.
You do realize if you get tired of their questions you can at anytime just interject and say, "Hey listen, we only have 10 minutes left, I'm interested in learning more about your background and interests, why don't you tell me more about yourself..." etc??
Uhh…that’s exactly what I do. Do you realize that I would also like to see how this person can navigate a conversation without me having to guide them?
Idk why people are getting mad at you. I thought this was the bare minimum. Come prepared with industry/coverage/product specific questions and also some “get to know” type questions. Asking about recruiting in your first conversation and only talking about recruiting comes off terribly, like you are trying to use people which nobody likes. Get to know a person from a place of genuine curiosity about them and their role, not a “referral plz” position which comes off as desperate AF. If you haven’t even a smidge of interest in this work (looking at them money/prestige whores), fake it or fuck off.
Tbh if you are networking during recruiting season, you already fucked up. Build relationships months in advance, keep the relationship warm (follow up, check in emails around holidays or industry events/news etc essentially build rapport and show continued interest) which you can later leverage come recruiting season.If you are networking during recruiting season you have to be opportunistic which is a bad position to be in when you are meeting anyone for the first couple of times.
You're entirely missing the point dude. If the purpose is recruiting, there really is no point in all the song and dance you're proposing, it just exists to make the person you're speaking with feel less used. You're telling people ways to use other people without them getting offended...
You can either play the game or whine about it which gets you nowhere. Ultimately, there are gatekeepers. I detailed how you get past them. If you aren’t willing to do that, I don’t think finance is for you (not you specifically, but the people who do what OP described). This should all come intuitively to you unless you are low EQ.
Exactly my point. It's so obvious when they have a standard set of questions they use for literally anyone and everyone. Also the "referral plz" shit kills me since the call was a literal disaster and they don't have the bare EQ to read the room. Really sets people apart. Those willing to write industry specific questions/group specific/personal questions off of my LinkedIn are those who get the spot.
kinda disagree with the "you shouldn't be networking during recruiting season"
most of my friends who recruited started in January-February, which is considered "recruiting season", and they all ended up just fine
I get what you are saying tho
I’m glad it worked for you and your people but that doesn’t mean it is what everyone else should do. What’s more important is cultivating a relationship more than timing, but timing builds familiarity. If you were on their radar pre-recruiting season, it will be easier to leverage during recruiting season begins than if you follow what everyone else does (like you) and get drowned out by everyone else trying to meet the person for the first time. Harder to build familiarity, harder to stand out and be remembered, and thus harder for the gatekeeper to go to bat for you.
Thanks for the advice. so do you have anyone else on your team I can speak to?
I genuinely laughed. unfortunately these kids don't even have the wherewithal to make a joke like this. very sad. you on the other hand are hired. slide resume and ya sista's numba
That's my least favorite move of all. Sure buddy, how about you give me your sister's number and put in a good word, it'll be as comfortable as me telling a busy colleague that he just needs to meet the Super Sophomore.
I've taken the stance where I won't lift a finger unless I really know you AND you've demonstrated an unquenchable interest for this job. Not offering you up on the back of my reputation for you to piss away the job during the summer. I know folks are more receptive to networking with candidates but it's not like I'm managing my school pipeline
It’s a 2 way street. Plenty of awkward bankers out there, perhaps even yourself.
this, thank you
Do others really ask questions of someone doing a networking chat? Always struck me as so hardo of doing a pseudo-interview as an analyst
I get on the phone for 15 mins try to answer as much as I can as honestly as possible. My referral as an analyst is basically meaningless so I don’t really bother “screening” kids. Most help I can do is arming them to give good answers in future interviews.
I’ll only do a referral if we talk more than once, but you should be able to evaluate plenty based on 2 20 minute phone calls without grilling someone about their interest in IB.
+1 on it sucks when kids ask lazy / low effort questions, but I am just surprised to see people on here asking questions back during a networking chat
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